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As of today, in my known expert opinion, the oline is better with the addition of Broxton and Kolo's departure. The defence should be really good. Brady is excellent. Wilson+White+Demski is a nice trio and I like Nield. The questions are how does Zach play? Can we stay healthy? How do we manage the ratio? Do we keep loading the roster with STers who can't/don't get reps on offense or defense? Best case, we win the Cup. Worst case we miss the playoffs. Likely case, we're somewhere around 10 wins and don't win the Cup.

Its hard to say...he could have just aggravated it, as I think he was a bit early on the recovery side still. Either way, I dont have an issue with Schmek like some others. Kid has a great motor and is solid depth imo. Hope hes back before the full 6 is done.

Team looks much better on paper across the board from last year. I think there's a lot of roster nitpicking going on, which is completely fair, but preemptive. The sky is not falling.

If the Bombers could win ten games with Hogan at OC I am sure they will win more with Condell who actually seems to know what he is doing. The defence and special teams should be just as good this season as last year. Sure there are depth concerns but after cut down day when every team has 45 players they're all razor thin at at least one position group.

Ayers at MLB is an interesting development

I think it just a matter he not ready yet...big ol lineman recovering from that...timeline wise he wouldnt have been ready yet to play....and shouldnt...I think we should have learned from last yr that rushing guys isnt wise....we basically ended 2 careers He played 4 games....so he not even 12 months into recovery yet....He should not be counted on till at least labor day really....But agree...he is a useful depth guy...great in Jumbo and he is good on short yardage defence...great get off (one of the best on team in goaline defence) and has his knife technique down pat... Thats why dont like Fredrickson....4.7's 40...not an elite vertical...prob gonna have real issues getting separation from pro caliber DB's...and not the greatest footwork/agility...Be a nice 6th/7th option if roster allowed but our roster likely wont allow that....as he doesnt return kicks Thats why outta what we have left of whom I saw I'd go with TJ Davis....has more speed and agility...can make people miss with ball in his hands and can work a lot of what we do in the inside passing game/sweeps and also has returned kicks, plus the fact he was a QB you could maybe have some trick plays with him...Plus even tho it arena ball has some actual experience outside of college

They are almost exactly alike down to testing numbers, height and weight. Depends if Tachinski can learn how to run routes well enough to get open, and catch the ball. With the current roster rules they could also dress him as the 3rd QB and use him as a receiver. Although a little grey on the Import/Non-Import situation if the QB subs in as the 2nd QB.

I think our roster composition and player deployment is going to get stupid and cost us a win or two (as it always does) but overall, the talent at the top is there. The scary part is it’s old. Brady, Demski, White, Pokey is definitely enough to compete on O, the D is going to be flying around, ST should be solid. I’m not worried that we’re going to lose 12 games, I’m worried we’re going to lose the last one because we’re old, beat up and not putting our best roster on the field. Does anyone believe that if the decision needs to be made in the playoffs, Kyrie Wilson with a torn hammy isn’t coming off the field? That’s still my concern.

Where are you even getting this from? Everything across the board is an improvement from last season. Zach looks good in practice. He loves targeting Wilson and White. It sucks that Wilson is out, but we still have some time before the season. We spent half a season last year with Demski as the only option and still hit 10 wins. The defense was great last year and only added pieces. Vaval is still returning kicks. Brady running behind an improved OL. Why the doom and gloom?

Most teams are in a similar situation at QB. Davis, Harris, Adams, Rourke - injuries to any of them could sink that team's season. And some them are known for getting hurt

marty york level expert hot take there. We all know we are counting on a resurgent zach and any thing less including a significant injury has us cooked, short of another zach level miracle with one of the back ups or a trade. 1-2 imp wr injuries/busts will do about the same. If either of those happen, we are probably a 5 win team. May 7-8 if it happens mid to late in the year. The Defence should be exceptional. Even if things go bad on D, it should still be pretty good. Teams too.

we'd be a better...younger...more athletic defense with them along with Griffin at SAM than with Wilson and T.Jones Maybe we are gonna go with the upside and more talented and part ways with one of Jones and Wilson with the guy staying being a DA and the backup if injury happens...A smart team wanting to filed it's best roster and have guys really develop along the way would do that...as opposed to riding old declining guys into dust as they degrade along the way...wasting the talent you have in waiting yup...Wilson would be the perfect DA/mentor/rotational guy and starter if need be, while the youth continue their development. He offers a lot still, but man you gotta be proactive in the transitions and player development so you arent relying on green unproven guys when the old guard finally break right down...we seen how that plays out already...did we learn? Funny thing tho...Jones is a good player...not great, and when you stack em all up prob ranks behind Wilson..Ayers..Woodbey...Griffin in terms ability and versatility...with Smith and Shay right on hisass Being a holdover/vet shouldn't be an automatic pass to be the starter

While I wouldn’t mind seeing what he could do there, I wouldn’t read too much into Ayers at mac. They tend to move guys all over the place in TC. I’d be pretty surprised if it was anyone but Jones there to start the regular season.

I think its just regular moving guys around in camp. We've tried him at S, sam, and De before to get some extra versatility. I do love his nose for the ball and play-making skill. Tremendous range as well. With JSK out, I'd be working on Ayers + Smith/shay as the go-to wil/mac. And have Kyrie on the fringe. Even if we used Kyrie as the naturalized and rotated him, he is way more versatile than Ayers and still a strong teams guy if he plays a lesser role on the D. Boy, that would be a nightmare for opposition offences.

Nah, he's Tachinski. Sinopoli was quicker than his testing, but still drafted as a QB then converted. That was also 15 years ago, when the 2 top Wrs ran high 4.5 low 4.6. We used to see pro athletes and pro skill sets be completely seperate in the CFL draft. We aren't getting 4.2-4.3 guys, but only the least athletic WRs are putting up those 4.7-4.8 times. Sinopoli probably doesn't get the WR shot if he plays ball today. He was drafted in 11, caught his first game pass in 13, broke 1k in 15 on his second team. He played in 28 games before he caught a pass.

Not to mention the fact this is a discussion board where Bomber fans of all ilk can share their opinions, perspectives, wild takes whatever. That's what drives the show here and makes things interesting and engaged. AND might I add Riders suck.

He'll have to learn to play on Specials to really help us. I doubt if he ever has as he was a qb. I wish we'd sign experienced young Canadian receivers in February insead of inexperienced kids in May who have already been cut once & are changing positions that can't even play on kick or punt return.

Harris, collaros and BLM are starting qbs, we sure it's not already a thing?

You don't have to be an "expert" to see we still razor thin at QB and a significant injury there likely kills our hope "Expert " sentiment isnt required either to see that after our 5 best recievers.. we are razor thin..zero experience let alone depth and no real front runner with exceptional talent to make a difference..which also goes back to the hope ZC has a renesaince again..but he also is a guy who doesn't thrive with inexperienced and less than stellar talent around him at this juncture The draft..was ok'ish but took a flier on a guy early who we didnt need to, and is a question mark for sure and is only gonna be a bit player as well while missing out on some guys who could likely contribute immediately...then went and took another flier on a guy already signed in NFL and back loaded the rest with a bunch of guys who really won't Crack.. or have no business cracking roster..just more low to no upside guys that we already had a slew of...that being said we nailed free agency so that's a good thing

Yes - they have the most at 4 players and one of them (Kolesar) is the son of an old Bomber but I'm still not cheering for them.

Great but it’s not the players it’s the organization I can’t stand regardless of the players that wear their logo.

we gonna be a double digit win team this yr...no doubt in my mind...I am worried tho about our depth on offence outside the oline and rb. Excited about the defence...and how it's gonna evolve And if we have significant injuries to Demski and Neild....or have a National olineman...or 2 go down where we need to play 3 or more Imports (we have nice depth top do so so not worried there) then we are gonna have to go 3 national receivers, and we dont have the ponies for that...and Lord help ZC then as teams will basically take away White/Wilson and make him start pressing and forcing throws into bad spots...and we know he will as history shows....or lean on a middling group of Canadian receivers who will basically offer nothing much

Throwing a nice ball is only about 25% of what makes a good QB. If throwing a nice ball in practice was the end all be all then Dominique Davis would be a hall of famer. I am hopeful that TE can reach the other 75% of what makes for successful QBing but we honestly have no idea what we have at this point, and it is completely unrealistic to think that Elgersma would outperform Zac at this point. Don't get hung up on arm strength, it really is a red herring with the caveat that it is difficult to overcome a weak arm. Would I like Zac to be able to zip a ball like Elgersma? Sure....but that isn't his strength as a QB. If Elgersma can learn to read a defence, make clutch throws under pressure, extend plays and not get happy feet, inspire and motivate his O unit, then he will be someone that has a real good chance at attaining the level of career that Zac is having. Let's not put the cart before the horse tho. The difference between wearing a yellow shirt in practice playing glorified catch, and doing it with bullets flying around you cannot be understated. Game action is not the same as practice.

Nah. Oh wait Pittsburgh just signed a 42 year old to be their QB again. It’s not just a CFL problem. I stopped by the stadium yesterday for about half an hour and decided to watch a bit of practice. Zach really puts his whole body into the long throws, Elgersma barely puts an effort at all. From my extremely limited viewing if I didn’t know who was starting, 13 looks better than 8 by far. I’d say if Zach got hurt we probably wouldn’t miss a beat and might actually be better. Limited viewing but just the motion difference in the long throws is night and day. All body Zach vs all arm Elgersma. I spoke to a dude who said he’s been a few times and he seems to think Elgersma has been the “best QB”. Just seems to be able to make all the throws with very little effort it seems. I’m cutting Terry right now as he truly can’t throw a ball 10 yards.

I will wait and see. I think that the riot act was read from above and we will see some different deployment this year. Agreed. We haven't even played a game yet and have no idea what our roster even looks like yet. I get that we have nerves around here about what our roster/deployment might look like, but let's wait to see it before we go all doom and gloom. We have a lot more talent than we did last year.

Thats a good point too. The OL is gonna be really really good. Wallace looks to have taken a big stepforward so far too. It is really deep too. 100%. Unless someone hits on QBs in this league soon, the league is going to be raiding old folkes homes for QBs. Knew going into the off season no one was gonna fix QBing problems from with in the league. Next years FA qb crop probably wont be better either. Can confirm, sky not falling. Also, the ground is not trying to escape through by way of the air any more. All clear on the western front. We have a lot of solid upgrades from last year, and an addition by subtraction. Last years 10 wins was a bit of smoke n mirrors, but on the field I expect us to be one of the most improved teams in the league. We will be dumspter diving for Wrs, and probably for DL both ni and imp this year, which is frustrating. But its still overall an A- off season.

So what I've gathered from MBB after one week of camp is that we completely pooched the draft, our recruitment on offense was garbage, and we're one offensive injury away from going 0-18...?

While JY has some very interesting and difficult decisions to make, Condell will have an even tougher situation with pre-season. Balancing QB play time is going to be a real challenge. On one hand, Zach has a new system and a few new starters, he/they will likely need a chunk of time to gel. On the other hand, the backup QB position is clear as mud. We don't have a seasoned backup QB2, and we have 3 rookies behind that. For Zach, I would normally say 3 quarters in pre-season would be the upper limit of what you want to see. But we might want to roll a full game's worth of reps at the starters between the two games, plus a few drives on top of that. Starting the 2nd quarter is a great reset and chance to adjust calls/personnel. Terry needs a chance to play himself into earning QB2 or out of the spot, which is hard to do with less than a half of football between the 2 games. Perkins, while a rookie, is older than Terry. So he also really needs to be thrown into the fire. Can't imagine anyone wants to wait 2 years to see if he can develop. Which doesn't leave much for Elgersma, who also needs to be challenged. And even less for Thorne. Roughly, I'd look to have Zach ease out at some point in the 2nd Q to reconvene with Condell before going back in to finish and run the start of the 3rd. That gives Terry and the best of the rest time to roll with 1s and 2s against 1s and 2s. Once Terry gets his chance, I'd let them fight for reps. Those reps are limited and very valuable. Its no where near enough to get everyone enough reps. Not even enough for 3 to get enough reps. 5 QBs are to reduce load and diversify how many guys get a shot. 2 QBs aren't likely to make the PR at all, it's harsh, but whoever is on the bottom of the depth chart (I suspect Thorne) is likely to only get a real shot if someone else is brutal or gets hurt. I'm really interested to see how the battle goes between Elgersma and Perkins. And if Terry has progressed. If he does, that 2 spot is as good as his. But if Elgersma shows more of what he did in the NFL preseason, or if Perkins translates his game to the Canadian game quickly, it's going to be a real scrap. Been a long time since we had this much variability on the QB depth chart. I can't imagine we cut Elgersma and don't PR him. But just about anything else is equally as likely.

As if we needed another reason to make fun of Saskatchewan, this video is making the rounds on social media.

agree. Talk about dare to dream though. Agree. And if we protect kyries health maybe we see him get back to the best ball hes capable of, and in time for when the games count. That also helps us with better use of the limited DIs. With Schmek down, maybe we DI a DL. Or maybe we DI a WR to give much-needed depth, ensuring the guys stay healthy this year. (its gotta be our turn for a healthy WR core one day right?) It could allow us to carry a DI db on top of Vaval. Even if we Nat Kyrie, start Jones and Ayers, we can easily DI woodbey who is as able to fill in as a DB as a Lber. The potential with our youth, athleticism, and versatility is embarrassingly good. I bet JY is chomping at the bit.

yes and no....He shouldn't have been counted on at the start of the yr, but could have been a transition guy going into this yr and beyond, and yeah I was highon him, but we had no clue as to how to use/develop him and the OC guy fiasco last yr just exaggerated it. We will now never know Yeah...Tachinski is really just a warm body due to all the injuries, and shouldn't be anywhere near the roster, but I sure we will waste a PR spot on him for no specific reason at all knowing Osh...and his "praise" of Corcoran for "constant effort" as opposed to highlighting any real dominance or ability/upside skill wise is scary in itself with likely more roster inadequacies this yr playing out. I would hope it can be said that he likes to see every guy with "constant effort" or why they even here??...That doesn't translate into being the best available player

So are Rourke, Brown, Kelly, and Alexander. All very good young QBs. At one time we said the same about Ray, Calvillo, and Burris until Harris, Collaros, and BLM showed their stuff. It seems to be a concern the CFL fans have had since the 80's. Now, with the college money making it tougher to get QBs we may see this become a legit problem...or not....we'll see I guess but I am just pointing out that in the past few years we have added young, legit, talented starting QBs to half the teams in the league. Tachinski is just a TC body imo. I disagree on no forward thinking. Streveler was the plan until he wasn't. We were hoping, and you were as high on him as anyone, that he would turn into a starting calibre QB but he just didn't have the chops.

I remember the days when pre season got everyone excited about new players and the potential that they may have. I wasn't aware that pre season these days is that we whine and complain about declare how our team is destroyed because of two injures and starting an older qb. We used to have more excitement when guys like Robert Marve was going to be our potential starting QB....

Could be a reinjury, tbh we won't know much more then we knew last year. I feel like he's TCF, easy guy to plug in because he knows the game and team well. He's got size, but I don't see the athleticism for him to actually move to WR.

Qbing is a football wide issue. Its worse here, because of the reality of canadian football, but it is an issue every where for sure. Nailed it. We've said and done many right things this offseason, but until I see sustained change Im not betting on it. Canadians are the back bone of every DL. You just can't carry 7 imp dl and have them take all the reps. Its sad, but schmekel was our depth. If we flipped wil, then we could rotate lawson with an imp db at wil. Not wrong lol, but we could see those guys play till some even crazier ages at this rate. I refuse to even think about next years cfl while there is football going on.

Our Oline is gonna be one the leagues best, so we improved there...Our defence as well is gonna be way better with the additions, plus the likely use of several big upside Canadians making our rotations much more effective. Or offence and scheme is gonna be night and day better with a real OC...The aforementioned oline upgrade....and a solid top 4 receiver crew this yr. But I think we dropped the ball at the draft, and we are razor thin in depth on offence with skilled position players...one or 2 serious injuries to key guys...we gonna be scuffling yeah, but the lack of forward thinking starting 2 yrs ago already has us in this spot....didnt say there was a plethora of talent there for the taking....but we really have done nothing to have any real succession plan yeah watching Wallace...he looks like a total different player from last year...and thats not just his frame And across the board with top 30 guys yeah we better than last yr and more than solid....but we are thin in depth again in a few areas and our draft was another slug grab event with 75% guys who have no upside. Our lines this yr I think are gonna get us back to possibly 2019-2021 land and be our key to grabbing first again. I love what we have cooking on defence and the versatilty and athleticism of our guys..especially the lb's and backend

It's an exhibition game for crissakes. Losing/winning means nothing.

I'm willing to give all the changes a chance to see how it works out.

The Bomber medical staff & Osh cooked him last season.

Yup. That's what the sentiments of the "experts" here.

My first post so go easy on responses:) I have to agree about draft pick Stuart (#7 - on D) - frankly surprised he hasn’t gotten more mentions from his camp - disagree with early comments he’s just a ST body. My nephew played with him at Mac so I’ve seen many of his college games and he’s a legitimate top tier stud - elite in coverage, in the box and he tackles like a beast. Here’s a theory - because he’s a non counter - wonder if JY is hiding him with the 3’s until roster trimming is done. Apparently JY talks to him regularly - would be surprised if he isn’t rostered as he’s been taking reps with the 1’s on punt, and regular D reps with the 2’s and done well. With his size (220+) and movement he presents a ton of options - Boundary Safety, Half, SAM or WSLB. My nephew sent a great cut up of Stuart’s camp performance (pretty impressive: multiple picks/PBU’s and dominant in battle drills) - I’d post it but I don’t know how to upload video attachments?

pace is a good get.

Turns out Warren Burrell has another connection to the club. Winnipeg Blue BombersBlue Bombers Training Camp | Day 8 - Winnipeg Blue BombersIt’s too long ago now to recount every detail, but Warren Burrell does remember this: Milt Stegall always had some gems to tell about Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers and playing in the Canadian Football Le

MOS and Younger decide who plays where. PERIOD. If Walters is giving orders on who plays where and when he should be fired. That would be gross over reach by a GM. Just to play devils advocate though, if KW did order MOS to move Kramdi to S, then isn't possible KW is ordering him to start extra NATs. That seems laughable to think a GM would do that doesnt it? If we are trotting out Corcoran game 1 that is an epic failure by both KW and KC.

It’s starting to feel like, a week in, it’s business as usual and we haven’t learned much. Still looks like we’re getting ready to trot out 8-9 Canadians for no reason and value experience above everything. It’s hard for these rookie Americans to get experience because irs a revolving door for them by design - we don’t give them experience and then fault them for not having experience. There’s genuinely no reason someone like Gavin Cobb or Joey Corcoran should be taking meaningful reps with the first team at this point in camp. If you can’t find an American rookie that can perform better than 2* Canadian prospects, what’s the scouting department even doing? And the lot default “they’re all starters and the Canadian provides roster flexibility” thing is so hollow, we don’t need the flexibility. We don’t even use the flexibility we currently give ourselves.

In Condell's system it's tough to label receivers as 1,2,3 etc. You have to be able to run every route and each receiver will get a variety of opportunities because there is a lot of variations on the route trees based off the defensive call. I mean every OC does that to some extent but Condell is very good at it. He's good at getting mismatches and getting his receivers isolated in space. Watch White the past few years as an example.

I am paying a lot more attention to this camp because of the lack of Jets playoff hockey and a perhaps misguided hope that this year will be better than last season with a new attitude and a new O coordinator, and a new center...and a massive upgraded Jake on our DL...anyway...getting very excited for this season. LFG!!

Yeah....Dixon and Jenkins look to be front runners but nobody is really separating themselves from the pack. Bailey needs to be played, you can just see he has multi tool talent and a motor that just goes...he was 100 percent all day today...and thats par for the course. One interesting guy I noticed and like is that Michael Fletcher...think he a bit knicked with a thigh issue but powered thru it. Even at less than 100 percent he just moves and reacts real well for a big dude and could see him useful off the edge and inside...For me he was one the guys that first popped out for me and he has a interesting skill set and a long but sturdy body. I could see him opening eyes in the pre-season games What also popped out for me right away...and this isnt good...Save for White..Pokey..Demski..Neild..Clercius we have a real buttload of crap and WR currently. And if we are going to go 3 nationals...god help us...pray for ZC cause it will be ugly. Some of the first unit work today...With Demski and Pokey missing mind you had combos of Corcorran...Cobb...that Fredricksen (who has zero explosion and can barely get separation for a big guy and no speed) and I think the rookie Derosier??....puuuuke....Other than Cobb the other 3 are not pro receiver quality and do absolute nothing with the ball once they get it....Keshaun Smith, and TJ Harris look like once acclimated could be quite useful, and possibly singer...But the rest see ya later..if somebody doesnt step up...or if we break camp with some injury issues....we have worst unit in league easily....again And if being honest after Demski....Clercius and Neild the next best guy, and one who looks to have best upside is that Joshua Jack...Daniels cant be and shouldn't be expected to do much other than big packages and goaline area stuff where he just needs to chip block and seperate from the line and just win a jump ball or take a quick hot pass and head north Yeah...Griffin is or should be the SAM...Dude can ball...he's athletic enough to cover top receivers in man and he's built to punish in the run game...plus he is very assignment sound. Kramdi at safety and kind qb'ng from there if he as smart as they claim is the best use of him. Allen not sure if they see him as the corner...or the swiss army guy rotating in with 2 safety sets and dime work. Major Williams and Burrel stood out to me at DB...I think they are 1/2 right now for the vacant spot forgot to mention...That Mazzccua I can see PR'd...Dude is just a beast...and a thug...he would be a bone jarring mauler of a guard...I liked watching him A side of the oline with Eli..him and Broxton woukd be a RB's wet dream with paved roadwork all day long